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Android tablets coming from everyone everywhere {Who isn't readying an Android tablet?}
Fortune ^ | August 23, 2010 | Seth Weintraub

Posted on 08/23/2010 10:02:07 AM PDT by SmokingJoe

In the past week or so, just about every technology company out there has announced or has been rumored to be carrying a Google (GOOG) Android-based tablet. Here's a list I've compiled below:

HTC is using Israeli-based N-Trig to build their Android tablet for shipment in time for holiday shoppers according to TheMarker. The timing may be tied to a dubious rumor but N-trig is separately working with HTC on multi-touch tablets and HTC is one of the leading suppliers of Android devices in the world.

Chang Ma, vice president of marketing for LG's mobile-devices unit told the WSJ, that LG's Android tablet will set itself apart from Apple Inc.'s iPad by focusing on the ability to create content, rather than simply display it. It will also have "high-end features and new benefits," many of which will focus on productivity, Mr. Ma said. "It's going to be surprisingly productive. Our tablet will be better than the iPad." Those are some mighty big words.

Motorola is rumored to be building a 10-inch Android tablet, codenamed 'Stingray', that will sell at the end of the year on Verizon's wireless network. Motorola's(MOT) Android tablet will be bundled with Verizon and may have GoogleTV functionality according to various reports. CNet gives this product the best chance at challenging the iPad.

Samsung is likely introducing its Galaxy Tab seven-inch Android tablet at IFA 2010, which starts September 3rd in Berlin. Standout features for this product will be its front and back cameras, 3G (Vodafone?) and Super AMOLED display. Samsung may also launch its iPod touch competitor, the Yepp YP-MB2 four inch mini tablet at the event. This device is essentially a Samsung Galaxy S phone without the 3G hardware inside. It will still have the Android market, however.

(Excerpt) Read more at tech.fortune.cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Technical
KEYWORDS: android; google; ipad; microsoft
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1 posted on 08/23/2010 10:02:13 AM PDT by SmokingJoe
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To: SmokingJoe

I’m looking forward to try them out. I was hoping that the iPad would hit the Apple refurb store but so far no dice.


2 posted on 08/23/2010 10:08:12 AM PDT by mnehring
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To: SmokingJoe

There’s an app for that...............


3 posted on 08/23/2010 10:08:18 AM PDT by Red Badger (No, Obama's not the Antichrist. But he does have him in his MY FAVES.............)
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To: SmokingJoe
Motorola is rumored to be building a 10-inch Android tablet<<

Do they make it in liquid form....That's way too big for me to swallow

4 posted on 08/23/2010 10:11:46 AM PDT by M-cubed
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To: SmokingJoe
IIRC, Apple had significant market share, back in the early days of personal computers. They lost most of that share because they maintained extremely tight control over their hardware and OS.

The PC paradigm, on the other hand, was more of an "open architecture" approach, which led to a large number of companies all developing hardware that would run under the Microsoft operating systems, which were not so tightly held.

One begins to suspect that the same dynamic is at work here. Let's just grant that Apple's iPad represents a new paradigm (which I actually doubt, but let's grant it).

These other companies are already beginning to capitalize on the iPad's perceived weaknesses, and taking advantage of more open hardware and software architectures.

Unless Apple changes their approach, I suspect that before too long, Bill Gates or somebody like him will be bailing out Steve Jobs once again.

5 posted on 08/23/2010 10:18:15 AM PDT by r9etb
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To: SmokingJoe

I don’t want one, I don’t need one. I have no need to be “connected” and traced everywhere I go. I have no need to know when others are pooping.


6 posted on 08/23/2010 10:18:30 AM PDT by Pilated
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To: r9etb
Unless Apple changes their approach

Apple's approach is to make money. Those open system manufacturers lose money on the low end, that's why the work so hard to get you to upgrade and upgrade and upgrade before you leave their website.

Apple only sells the high end high-quality product, and makes more money than the HP and Dell combined.

7 posted on 08/23/2010 10:24:37 AM PDT by D-fendr (Deus non alligatur sacramentis sed nos alligamur.)
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To: M-cubed

You don’t swallow it.
It goes in the other end


8 posted on 08/23/2010 10:28:22 AM PDT by hans56
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To: M-cubed

You don’t swallow it.
It goes in the other end


9 posted on 08/23/2010 10:28:25 AM PDT by hans56
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To: M-cubed

Apple is suppose to announce the iTV next month. A television based on their OS and design. My guess a huge iPad.

But, users will have a lot of control over television from the net.


10 posted on 08/23/2010 10:31:20 AM PDT by edcoil (Truth's commotion is directly proportional to how deeply the lie was believed.)
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To: D-fendr; r9etb
Apple only sells the high end high-quality product, and makes more money profit than the HP and Dell combined.

Fixed that for you. HP and Dell each make more revenue, but not as much profit (lower profit margins).

And of course Microsoft makes even more revenue AND more profit than Apple, both in absolute dollars and as percent profit margin on revenue...;)

11 posted on 08/23/2010 10:32:40 AM PDT by PugetSoundSoldier (Indignation over the Sting of Truth is the defense of the indefensible)
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To: D-fendr
Apple's approach is to make money.

The closed system approach almost put Apple out of business once before.

Apple only sells the high end high-quality product, and makes more money than the HP and Dell combined.

That's what they kept saying about the Mac, back when they were almost put out of business the last time.

12 posted on 08/23/2010 10:36:45 AM PDT by r9etb
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To: SmokingJoe

Love my little iRobot! Cost was $100, with the 8 GB MicroSD card. Upgraded to Android 2.1, it runs fast, efficiently, lasts about 8 hours on a charge, and is a great form factor. It’s a 7” screen, so easily held in one hand, weighs about 300 grams (about 1/3rd of an iPad), and has plenty of power and features for what I need.

Being able to share memory cards with my phone and digital camera is great; no need to hook up cables or to my computer to move stuff around. I can use the built-in 4 GB of FLASH in the iRobot as a swap drive if needed, but honestly, with the cost and insanely small size of MicroSD cards (I think I have a few extras in my wallet, with my 3 international SIM cards), it’s easy to carry 64+ GB without even knowing you have them!


13 posted on 08/23/2010 10:36:50 AM PDT by PugetSoundSoldier (Indignation over the Sting of Truth is the defense of the indefensible)
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To: PugetSoundSoldier

Thanks. In my business I only care about profit.

Apple has passed Microsoft in market cap and has about a $100 billion lead over Google.

If I care about “money” I’ll take Apple’s business model.


14 posted on 08/23/2010 10:38:04 AM PDT by D-fendr (Deus non alligatur sacramentis sed nos alligamur.)
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To: r9etb
back when they were almost put out of business the last time.

Because the hired a CEO who took them out of their business model. They even experimented with your advice and licensed the OS for more "open" system business model. Big mistakes.

They're back using the winning formula. They still have to innovate and build high quality products, but as this article illustrates, so far they are doing this with the iPad.

15 posted on 08/23/2010 10:41:53 AM PDT by D-fendr (Deus non alligatur sacramentis sed nos alligamur.)
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To: edcoil; M-cubed

At a price, of course... Apple’s not known for letting content be free! You’ll get the “pleasure” of paying for that streaming video on your iTV, and knowing Apple, it will probably be $1.99 per “channel” selected. After all, if you’re paying $50 per month for cable, why not pay $40 per month to Apple for the 20 channels you “really” want?

Meanwhile, I like streaming Hulu and Netflix and Youtube on my iRobot, my laptop, and my HTPC. All for either free (Hulu and Youtube), or a fixed, low monthly rate ($9 per month for Netflix, and all the instant movies I want).

I can also stream to those devices even when overseas, thanks to the ability to run VPNs on each device (back to a US based computer). It’s nice to keep up with news and shows I like when I’m over in Asia for 5-8 weeks at a shot. I wonder if the iTV will let you run a VPN connection? If not, you’re out of luck if you want to take it traveling with you...


16 posted on 08/23/2010 10:43:24 AM PDT by PugetSoundSoldier (Indignation over the Sting of Truth is the defense of the indefensible)
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To: PugetSoundSoldier

Some in my family have the current Apple TV version. They like it, but I don’t see it for me, I’m not that much into Tv though and don’t have nearly the movie library they do.

I like the Netflix $9 streaming offer. They still need to stream more content, but I’m happy with the value so far.


17 posted on 08/23/2010 10:45:38 AM PDT by D-fendr (Deus non alligatur sacramentis sed nos alligamur.)
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To: D-fendr
Thanks. In my business I only care about profit.

Apple has passed Microsoft in market cap and has about a $100 billion lead over Google.

Then you should care about Microsoft, who has MUCH more profit margin and more profit dollars - and gives you a nice fat dividend - as compared to Apple.

If I care about “money” I’ll take Apple’s business model.

Suit yourself! I care about "money", so I go with the company that makes more of it in gross and net terms, keeps more of their gross, and shares that money with me at a regular rate (dividend). And who's profitability has grown more - as a percentage - over the last 8 years as well.

Also means there's a lot smaller chance their stock is in a bubble right now... I mean, a higher market cap for a company with less revenue, less profit, lower profit margins, much less market share, no market leadership, and no dividend? That's the classic sign of a bubble.

18 posted on 08/23/2010 10:48:42 AM PDT by PugetSoundSoldier (Indignation over the Sting of Truth is the defense of the indefensible)
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To: D-fendr
I like the Netflix $9 streaming offer. They still need to stream more content, but I’m happy with the value so far.

Add in free Hulu and the bar for media delivery on the Internet has been set - $10 per month is about what Apple needs to do if they want to capture any more of the market than their existing base of users.

Especially when you consider there are 74+ million Nintendo Wii and 60+ million Xbox systems out there which already stream Netflix and Hulu. That's an installed base that Apple will need to consider - about half of the households in America already have this capability. Selling yet another box to duplicate that functionality - especially at a higher monthly cost - will be a VERY tough sale, other than to the existing Apple adherents (who are, in fact, a small minority of the market).

19 posted on 08/23/2010 10:53:16 AM PDT by PugetSoundSoldier (Indignation over the Sting of Truth is the defense of the indefensible)
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To: PugetSoundSoldier

It’s been a long bubble. And Msft is not bubbling much anymore.

Side question: How does Google make money off the Android? Do they get it all from the phone manufacturer, phone service provider, support or..?

I haven’t seen anything on how this works, but I imagine Google has some solid plan in mind. Any idea of the business model there?


20 posted on 08/23/2010 10:53:40 AM PDT by D-fendr (Deus non alligatur sacramentis sed nos alligamur.)
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